Alert in NC: there may be a vote on the anti-LGBT amendment tomorrow

UPDATE (9:30 PM ET): QNotes - "State lawmakers briefly considered changing their session rules this week in order to hear several constitutional amendments, possibly including an anti-LGBT amendment on same-sex relationships, but decided against the plan today, The Associated Press and several other news agencies are reporting."The time is now. The marriage amendment may come up for a vote tomorrow. From EqualityNC:

Attention LGBT supporters in Western NC, Triad & Triangle! With news that North Carolina lawmakers may take up a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage as soon as Thursday, July 28, we're mobilizing volunteers in all parts of the state RIGHT NOW to participate in all day phone banks today to activate constituents, reach out to key legislators, and stop the amendment.

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TRIANGLE

 NC

Raleigh, NC, Equality NC Phonebanks to Defeat the Anti-Gay Amendment

Wednesday, July 27, 11am-9pm

Location: 126 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Contact: Sam Parker, sam@equalitync.org or 919-829-0343, for directions to phone banking locations.

TRIAD NC

Greensboro, NC, Equality NC Phonebanks to Defeat the Anti-Gay Amendment

Wednesday, July 27, 11am-9pm

Location: Call (below) for locations and directions.

Contact: Chris Speer, chris@equalitync.org or 336-327-6158, for directions to phone banking locations.

WESTERN NC

Asheville NC, Equality NC Phonebanks to Defeat the Anti-Gay Amendment

Wednesday, July 27, 5 - 7 PM

Location: Fellowship Hall, First Congregational Church, 20 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Bring: your cell phone, your charger and a friend.

Contacts:

Lee Crayton: 980-329-5232; lee.crayton82@gmail.com

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara: 828-242-6672, jbeachferrara@gmail.com

Michael Holcombe: 828-206-6999; cse.intern@gmail.com

Attn: Eastern NC; phone banks will be set up tomorrow in your region, as needed. In the meantime, you can make a difference RIGHT NOW:

Here's how you can join them in ACTING RIGHT NOW:

1) *E-mail your legislators!

We've made it easy. Let them know in your own words that you oppose efforts to write discrimination into our state constitution and, most importantly, tell them why they should be opposed to the anti-gay constitutional amendment (House Bill 777 / Senate Bill 106):  

  * The anti-LGBT amendment causes real harm.

 *Couples will be denied even the most basic protections.

  * The anti-LGBT amendment is bad for business.

 *It harms businesses' right to provide competitive benefits & signals to employers that our state does not welcome diversity.

  * The anti-LGBT amendment is a distraction from the voters' priorities.* 

We want legislators to tackle jobs and the economy, not to advance a divisive social agenda.

  * Marriage is already denied same-sex couples by state law.

 *This doesn't change marriage. It attacks LGBT North Carolinians and puts their basic rights up for a vote.

Your legislators need to know how these bills will hurt their constituents, and there's no better person than you to tell them!

2) *Call your legislators!

If you don't already have their numbers on speed dial, click here to look up the contact information for your NC representative and senator. Calling your legislator is super easy and low stress. All you need to do is say, "My name is _____ and I'm a constituent. I oppose the anti-gay constitutional amendment House Bill 777 because it's bad for families, bad for business, bad for the economy, and bad for my state. Thank you." It's that simple!

3) *Pass it on!*

 Now that you've taken action, let your friends know that they need to ACT NOW too! Forward this e-mail to as many friends, family, neighbors, co-workers as you can to encourage them to get involved. You can also re-tweet our posts on Twitter, and re-post our updates on Facebook to let everyone know what's up with our collective #equalityaction!

In the meantime, we'll keep you updated throughout the week on what's happening in Raleigh.

Stay tuned for news and what we're hearing from legislators on the inside by following the action on Twitter at the hashtag: #equalityaction.